System and method for reducing authentication signaling in a wireless network

ABSTRACT

A method for reducing authentication signaling in a wireless network includes identifying a plurality of access points in a network belonging to a group. An access request message is received from a first access point associated with a device being in range of the first access point. A determination is made whether the device has been authenticated within the group. A proxy accept message is sent to the to the first access point in response to the device being authenticated with the group without communicating with an authentication server for authentication of the device. A master access point may be used in performing the reduction of authentication signaling in the wireless network.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to wireless telecommunicationsand more particularly to a system and method for reducing authenticationsignaling in a wireless network.

BACKGROUND

In a densely populated wireless network, such as a Wi-Fi local areanetwork, there are many users attempting to access the network. In manyinstances, users are highly mobile and transitory and thus may not usethe network for data traffic. However, these mobile users generate manyauthentication requests and at a high frequency rate. Thisauthentication signaling creates a large overhead load on the networkand may cause both backhaul congestion and heavy processing loads on theequipment. For those users just passing through and not running datatraffic during the transition through the network, unnecessaryauthentication signaling is still performed over the air interface. Theassociations and disassociations occurring during authenticationsignaling flood the air interface with authentication requests andresponses, which results in congestion toward an authentication serversuch as an authentication/authorization/accounting (AAA) server.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing, it may be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat a need has arisen for reducing the amount of authenticationsignaling in a wireless network. In accordance with the presentdisclosure a system and method for reducing authentication signaling ina wireless network are provided that greatly reduces and substantiallyeliminates the problems associated with conventional authenticationsignaling techniques.

According to one embodiment, there is provided a method for reducingauthentication signaling in a wireless network that comprisesidentifying a plurality of access points in a network belonging to agroup. An access request message is received from a first access pointassociated with a device being in range of the first access point. Adetermination is made whether the device has been authenticated withinthe group. A proxy access accept message is sent to the first accesspoint in response to the device being authenticated with the groupwithout communicating with an authentication server for authenticationof the device.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a system for reducingauthentication signaling in a wireless network that includes a masteraccess point associated with a group of access points. The master accesspoint is operable to receive an access request message from a firstaccess point in the group where the access request message is associatedwith a device in range of the first access point. The master accesspoint is operable to determine whether the device is authenticatedwithin the group. The master access point is further operable to send aproxy access accept message to the first access point in response to thedevice being authenticated within the group without communicating withan authentication server for authentication of the device.

According to still another embodiment, there is provided anon-transitory computer readable medium including code for reducingauthentication signaling in a wireless network. The code when executedis operable to identify a plurality of access points in a networkbelonging to a group, receive an access request message from a firstaccess point associated with a device being in range of the first accesspoint, determine whether the device has been authenticated within thegroup, and send a proxy access accept message to the first access pointin response to the device being authenticated with the group withoutcommunicating with an authentication server for authentication of thedevice.

The present disclosure describes many technical advantages overconventional authentication signaling techniques. For example, onetechnical advantage is to eliminate sending requests to theauthentication server by identifying devices that have beenauthenticated within a group of access points when a device goes fromone access point in the group to another access point in the group.Another technical advantage is to use a master access point to sendproxy access accept messages to each access point belonging to a groupwhen a device in the range of one of the access points in the group hasbeen authenticated so that further authentication signaling is notneeded when the device transitions from one access point to anotheraccess point in the group. Other technical advantages may be readilyapparent to and discernable by those skilled in the art from thefollowing figures, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals represent like parts, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example grouping of access points in the wirelessnetwork;

FIG. 3 illustrates a process for authenticating a device while it movesfrom one access point to the next access point of a group in thewireless network;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative process for authenticating a devicewhile it moves from one access point to the next access point of a groupin the wireless network;

FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative process for authenticating adevice while it moves from one access point to the next access point ofa group in the wireless network;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example communication system that that may be usedfor implementing the devices and methods disclosed herein; and

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate example devices that may be used forimplementing the methods and teachings disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 7B, discussed below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present invention in this patent documentare by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any wayto limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the principles of the invention may be implemented inany type of suitably arranged device or system. Features shown anddiscussed in one figure may be implemented as appropriate in one or moreother figures.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless network 10. Wireless network 10includes a plurality of access points 12 a-12 e (or, collectively,access points 12) coupled to an authentication server 14 that providecommunication capabilities for a device within range of wireless network10, such as mobile device 16. An example of a server program thathandles user requests for access to computer resources for an enterpriseis an authentication/authorization/accounting (AAA) server. Each accesspoint 12 has an area of coverage 18 in which operations take place.Wireless network 10 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example,access points 12 may communicate with authentication server 14 through amaster access point 12 a. Master access point 12 a may have additionalcapabilities not found in the other access points 12. One or more of theother access points 12 may be a backup for master access point 12 a inthe event of its failure and may include the additional capabilities butare not active until a failure occurs in master access point 12 a. Asanother example, each access point 12 may include the additionalcapabilities with the designation of master access point 12 a beingdynamically selected such that any access point may function as masteraccess point 12 a. In yet another example, there is no master accesspoint 12 a and each access point 12 is capable of communicating directlywith authentication server 14 and with any other access point 12.

FIG. 2 shows how grouping of access points 12 may be used to reduceunnecessary authentication signaling. A group 20 of access points 12 isestablished either through point to point communications between accesspoints 12 or through a master access point 12 a being designated for thegroup depending on the desired configuration of wireless network 10.Access points 12 in a particular group have a same group identifierindicating membership in the group. In addition to grouping, accesspoints 12 may be placed into clusters 22. A cluster 22 may include oneor more groups 20 and a group 20 may overlap into two or more separateclusters 22. One cluster 22 may overlap another cluster 22. Similarly,one group 20 may overlap another group 20. Access points 12 in aparticular cluster 22 have a same cluster identifier indicatingmembership in that cluster. The end result is to create a virtual accesspoint from the perspective of device 16 such that device 16 does notperceive any changes in transitioning from one access point 12 toanother access point 12 within a group 20 or cluster 22. Differentauthentication techniques may be implemented in a cluster 22 as comparedto a group 20. The membership of access points 12 in one or more groups20 and clusters 22 may be dynamically changed as needed to adjusttraffic patterns and alleviate congestion within a group or cluster andat the authentication server 14.

In one embodiment, a group 20 includes access points 12 and masteraccess point 12 a. After initial authentication upon entering group 20,when device 16 moves from one access point 12 b to another access point12 c in group 20, there is no need for device 16 to be re-authenticatedas long as device 16 remains in the virtual access point established bygroup 20. Master access point 12 a acts as an authenticator and proxyauthentication server. Master access point 12 a keeps track of devicesthat have been initially authenticated within a particular group 20 andsends an individual proxy access accept message to access point 12 cwithin group 20 upon receiving an access request message from accesspoint 12 c when device 16 has transitioned from access point 12 b toaccess point 12 c.

In a further embodiment, once device 16 has been initially authenticatedwithin a group 20, master access point 12 a broadcasts a proxy accessaccept message to all access points 12 in group 20. When device 16transitions from access point 12 b to access point 12 c, access point 12c recognizes from the proxy access accept message that device 16 hasbeen authenticated and does not send an access request message to masteraccess point 12 a or authentication server 14. Instead, access point 12c sends an update notification message to master access point 12 a sothat master access point 12 a knows that device 16 is now associatedwith access point 12 c. Access point 12 c also sends an authorizationresponse message to device 16. Access point 12 c may be configured suchthat the broadcast proxy access accept message may be active for alimited amount of time. As long as device 16 requests authenticationwith access point 12 c within the active time limit, access point 12 csends the update message to master access point 12 a and theauthorization response message to device 12. Outside of this active timelimit, access point 12 c sends an access request message to masteraccess point 12 a or authentication server 14 for processing.

In an alternative embodiment, there is no master access point 12 a. Allaccess points 12 in the group have similar functionality andcommunication capabilities with authentication server 14. Once device 16is authenticated by a particular access point 12 b, all other accesspoints 12 in group 20 are notified of the virtual access pointestablished by group 20 through access point 12 b. When device 16transitions to access point 12 c, a new update notification is sent byaccess point 12 c to the other access points of group 20.

To reduce the impact on the air interface as well as towardauthentication server 14, all access points 12 of the virtual accesspoint established through group 20 may broadcast in their beacon andprobe response messages the group identifier for group 20. Onceauthenticated within group 20, device 16 receives the group identifier.As device 16 transitions from one access point to another within group20, it receives the beacon and probe response messages and compares thegroup identifier from these messages to the authenticated groupidentifier. Upon detecting a match, device 16 does not transmitauthentication requests. Device 16 only attempts authentication when thegroup identifier from the beacon and probe response messages isdifferent from the group identifier of group 20 of which it isauthenticated.

Two levels of authentication may be implemented in wireless system 10. Afirst authentication may be a group authentication that allows device 16to send and receive management frames. A limited amount of data trafficmay be allowed in group authentication that may be dependent on accesspoint 12, device 16, and/or subscriber. A second authentication may be asingle authentication when device 16 requests data access. Whenrequesting data, device 16 may proceed through this singleauthentication despite having group authentication. The two-levelauthentication technique may be implemented in several ways. Forexample, group authentication is performed when a device 16 enters thegroup and no further authentication is performed while device 16 remainsin the coverage areas 18 of the group unless device 16 requests data oronly particular data. Single authentication is performed upon the datarequest. In another example, group authentication is performed forcertain devices and subscribers while single authentication is requiredfor other devices and subscribers. In this example, group authenticationmay be performed for known transitory devices through the group or firsttime devices entering the group while single authentication may beperformed for devices entering through handover or known data trafficusers in the group.

FIG. 3 shows an example process for reducing authentication signaling ina wireless network using a master access point, according to thisdisclosure. For ease of explanation, the process is described as beingused with the components of wireless network 10 of FIG. 1. However, theprocess could be used by any suitable device and in any suitable systemor network.

In operation, device 16 first enters wireless network 10 within a rangeof a first wireless access point 12 b. Device 16 may send a proberequest message 302 to determine an access point 12 with which tocommunicate. In this case, access point 12 b sends a probe responsemessage 304 detected by device 16. Device 16 sends an authenticationrequest message 306 to access point 12 b. An access request message 308is sent to authentication server 14 either directly or through masteraccess point 12 a depending on the configuration of wireless network 10.Authentication server 14 returns an access accept message 310 (eitherdirectly or through master access point 12 a) that is provided to accesspoint 12 b. The access accept message 310 indicates that device 16 hasbeen authenticated in wireless network 10. Access point 12 b sends anauthentication response message 312 to device 16 informing device 16that authentication has succeeded. If device 16 desires a data exchangethrough access point 12 b, device 16 sends an association requestmessage 314 to access point 12 b. Access point 12 b returns anassociation response message 316 to device 16 to allow device 16 tobegin a data exchange. However, as device 16 is merely passing throughthe coverage area 18 of access point 12 b, device 16 would not send anassociation request message 314 to access point 12 b as device 16 doesnot desire a data exchange.

As device 16 leaves the range of access point 12 b and enters a range ofa second wireless access point 12 c, the above operational process isnormally repeated with access point 12 c. Device 16 sends a proberequest message 320 to access point 12 c and access point 12 c sends aprobe response message 322 to device 16 with the appropriateinformation. Normally, authentication signaling for device 16 wouldoccur at this point and access point 12 c would communicate withauthentication server 14 for authentication purposes. However,continuing authentication signaling handshaking leads to congestion overthe air interface and at authentication server 14 when large numbers ofdevices are factored into the operation. To avoid this, access point 12b and access point 12 c are placed into a group 20. Upon device 16authentication at access point 12 b and as device 16 moves into a rangeof access point 12 c, device 16 sends an authentication request message324 to access point 12 c. Access point 12 c sends an access requestmessage 326 to master access point 12 a. Master access point 12 adetermines that device 16 is already authenticated in group 20. Uponsuch determination, master access point 12 a sends an access acceptmessage 328 to access point 12 c and an authentication response message330 is then sent by access point 12 c to device 16. With thisdetermination, master access point 12 a need not communicate withauthentication server 14, thus reducing message congestion atauthentication server 14.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative process for reducing authenticationsignaling in a wireless network using a master access point, accordingto this disclosure. Many of the operations shown in FIG. 4 are the sameas or similar to corresponding operations in FIG. 3. Detaileddescriptions of those operations will not be repeated here.

Upon device 16 authentication at access point 12 b, master access point12 a sends an access accept message 402 to all access points 12 in group20. In the case where there is no master access point, access point 12 bwill send a broadcast access accept message 404 to the group. As device16 moves in range of access point 12 c, a probe request message 406 anda probe response message 408 are exchanged between device 16 and accesspoint 12 c. Access point 12 c processes the authentication requestmessage 410 from device 16 and determines that device 16 is alreadyauthenticated in group 20. Access point 12 c sends an authenticationresponse message 412 to device 16 and sends an update notificationmessage 414 to master access point 12 a indicating that device 16 is nowassociated with access point 12 c. In the case where there is no masteraccess point, access point 12 c sends an update notification message 416to the group. No processing is performed at authentication server 14 andno additional response processing is needed at master access point 12 a.

FIG. 5 shows another alternative process for reducing authenticationsignaling in a wireless network using a master access point, accordingto this disclosure. Many of the operations shown in FIG. 5 are the sameas or similar to corresponding operations in FIGS. 3 and 4. Detaileddescriptions of those operations will not be repeated here.

Once authenticated, access point 12 b notifies device 16 of the groupidentifier. The access points 12 may send the group identifier inperiodic beacon (not shown) and/or probe response messages or in anauthentication response message 502. Upon coming into range of accesspoint 12 c within group 20, a probe request message 504 and a proberesponse message 506 are exchanged between device 16 and access point 12c. Access point 12 c includes the group identifier in probe responsemessage 506 or a separate beacon message. Device 16 compares the groupidentifier in the probe response message 506 to the group identifierobtained during authentication with access point 12 b. If there is amatch, device 16 will not initiate authentication signaling, thusreducing traffic on the air interface. Authentication signaling willcommence if there is not a match or if device 16 desires a data exchangewith the access point 12 c. Access point 12 c sends an updatenotification message 508 to master access point 12 a indicating thatdevice 16 is now associated with access point 12 c. In the case wherethere is no master access point, access point 12 c sends an updatenotification message 510 to the group.

Although FIGS. 3 through 5 illustrate example processes for reducingauthentication signaling in a wireless network using a master accesspoint, various changes may be made to FIGS. 3 through 5. For example,various operations in FIGS. 3 through 5 could overlap, occur inparallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example communication system 100 that may be usedfor implementing the devices and methods disclosed herein. In general,the system 100 enables multiple wireless users to transmit and receivedata and other content. The system 100 may implement one or more channelaccess methods, such as code division multiple access (CDMA), timedivision multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access(FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA). Insome embodiments, one or more of the components of the communicationsystem 100 represents (or is represented by) one or more of thecomponents of the wireless network 10 of FIG. 1.

In this example, the communication system 100 includes user equipment(UE) 110 a-110 c, radio access networks (RANs) 120 a-120 b, a corenetwork 130, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 140, theInternet 150, and other networks 160. While certain numbers of thesecomponents or elements are shown in FIG. 6, any number of thesecomponents or elements may be included in the system 100.

The UEs 110 a-110 c are configured to operate and/or communicate in thesystem 100. For example, the UEs 110 a-110 c are configured to transmitand/or receive wireless signals. Each UE 110 a-110 c represents anysuitable end user device and may include such devices (or may bereferred to) as a user equipment/device (UE), wireless transmit/receiveunit (WTRU), mobile station, fixed or mobile subscriber unit, pager,cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), smartphone,laptop, computer, touchpad, wireless sensor, or consumer electronicsdevice.

The RANs 120 a-120 b here include base stations 170 a-170 b,respectively. Each base station 170 a-170 b is configured to wirelesslyinterface with one or more of the UEs 110 a-110 c to enable access tothe core network 130, the PSTN 140, the Internet 150, and/or the othernetworks 160. For example, the base stations 170 a-170 b may include (orbe) one or more of several well-known devices, such as a basetransceiver station (BTS), a Node-B (NodeB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB),a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, a site controller, an access point (AP), awireless router, a server, a switch, or any other suitable processingentity with a wired or wireless network.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the base station 170 a forms part ofthe RAN 120 a, which may include other base stations, elements, and/ordevices. Also, the base station 170 b forms part of the RAN 120 b, whichmay include other base stations, elements, and/or devices. Each basestation 170 a-170 b operates to transmit and/or receive wireless signalswithin a particular geographic region or area, sometimes referred to asa “cell.” In some embodiments, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)technology may be employed having multiple transceivers for each cell.

The base stations 170 a-170 b communicate with one or more of the UEs110 a-110 c over one or more air interfaces 190 using wirelesscommunication links. The air interfaces 190 may utilize any suitableradio access technology.

It is contemplated that the system 100 may use multiple channel accessfunctionality, including such schemes as described herein. In particularembodiments, the base stations 170 a-170 b and UEs 110 a-110 c areconfigured to implement LTE, LTE-A, and/or LTE-B.

The RANs 120 a-120 b are in communication with the core network 130 toprovide the UEs 110 a-110 c with voice, data, application, Voice overInternet Protocol (VoIP), or other services. Understandably, the RANs120 a-120 b and/or the core network 130 may be in direct or indirectcommunication with one or more other RANs (not shown). The core network130 may also serve as a gateway access for other networks (such as PSTN140, Internet 150, and other networks 160). In addition, some or all ofthe UEs 110 a-110 c may include functionality for communicating withdifferent wireless networks over different wireless links usingdifferent wireless technologies and/or protocols.

Although FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a communication system,various changes may be made to FIG. 6. For example, the communicationsystem 100 could include any number of UEs, base stations, networks, orother components in any suitable configuration.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate example devices that may be used forimplementing the methods and teachings disclosed herein. In particular,FIG. 7A illustrates an example UE 110 and FIG. 7B illustrates an examplebase station 170. These components could be used in the system 100 or inany other suitable system.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the UE 110 includes at least one processing unit200. The processing unit 200 implements various processing operations ofthe UE 110. For example, the processing unit 200 could perform signalcoding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, or anyother functionality enabling the UE 110 to operate in the system 100.The processing unit 200 also supports the methods and teachingsdescribed in more detail below. For example, the processing unit 200 isconfigured to control or support operations of the UE 110 according tothe D2D standards and principles described below. Each processing unit200 includes any suitable processing or computing device configured toperform one or more operations. Each processing unit 200 could, forexample, include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signalprocessor, field programmable gate array, or application specificintegrated circuit.

The UE 110 also includes at least one transceiver 202. The transceiver202 is configured to modulate data or other content for transmission byat least one antenna 204. The transceiver 202 is also configured todemodulate data or other content received by the at least one antenna204. Each transceiver 202 includes any suitable structure for generatingsignals for wireless transmission and/or processing signals receivedwirelessly. Each antenna 204 includes any suitable structure fortransmitting and/or receiving wireless signals. One or multipletransceivers 202 could be used in the UE 110, and one or multipleantennas 204 could be used in the UE 110. Although shown as a singlefunctional unit, a transceiver 202 could also be implemented using atleast one transmitter and at least one separate receiver.

The UE 110 further includes one or more input/output devices 206. Theinput/output devices 206 facilitate interaction with a user. Eachinput/output device 206 includes any suitable structure for providinginformation to or receiving information from a user, such as a speaker,microphone, keypad, keyboard, display, or touch screen.

In addition, the UE 110 includes at least one memory 208. The memory 208stores instructions and data used, generated, or collected by the UE110. For example, the memory 208 could store software or firmwareinstructions executed by the processing unit(s) 200 and data used toreduce or eliminate interference in incoming signals. Each memory 208includes any suitable volatile and/or non-volatile storage and retrievaldevice(s). Any suitable type of memory may be used, such as randomaccess memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), hard disk, optical disc,subscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory stick, secure digital (SD)memory card, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the base station 170 includes at least oneprocessing unit 250, at least one transmitter 252, at least one receiver254, one or more antennas 256, and at least one memory 258. Theprocessing unit 250 implements various processing operations of the basestation 170, such as signal coding, data processing, power control,input/output processing, or any other functionality. The processing unit250 can also support the methods and teachings described in more detailbelow. For example, the processing unit 250 is configured to control orsupport operations of the base station 170 according to the coordinatedMIMO switching standards and principles described below. Each processingunit 250 includes any suitable processing or computing device configuredto perform one or more operations. Each processing unit 250 could, forexample, include a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signalprocessor, field programmable gate array, or application specificintegrated circuit.

Each transmitter 252 includes any suitable structure for generatingsignals for wireless transmission to one or more UEs or other devices.Each receiver 254 includes any suitable structure for processing signalsreceived wirelessly from one or more UEs or other devices. Althoughshown as separate components, at least one transmitter 252 and at leastone receiver 254 could be combined into a transceiver. Each antenna 256includes any suitable structure for transmitting and/or receivingwireless signals. While a common antenna 256 is shown here as beingcoupled to both the transmitter 252 and the receiver 254, one or moreantennas 256 could be coupled to the transmitter(s) 252, and one or moreseparate antennas 256 could be coupled to the receiver(s) 254. Eachmemory 258 includes any suitable volatile and/or non-volatile storageand retrieval device(s).

Additional details regarding UEs 110 and base stations 170 are known tothose of skill in the art. As such, these details are omitted here forclarity.

In some embodiments, some or all of the functions or processes of theone or more of the devices are implemented or supported by a computerprogram that is formed from computer readable program code and that isembodied in a computer readable medium. The phrase “code” includes anytype of computer code, including source code, object code, andexecutable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes any typeof medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compactdisc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “include” and“comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion withoutlimitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases“associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivativesthereof, mean to include, be included within, interconnect with,contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, becommunicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximateto, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generallyassociated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodimentsand methods will be apparent to and readily discernable by those skilledin the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodimentsdoes not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes,substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure as defined by the following claims.

1. A method, comprising: identifying a plurality of access points in a network belonging to a group of access points; receiving an access request message from a first access point associated with a device in range of the first access point; determining whether the device is authenticated within the group of access points; and sending a proxy access accept message to the first access point in response to the device being authenticated within the group of access points, without communicating with an authentication server to authenticate the device.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending the proxy access accept message to the plurality of access points in the group of access points.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: receiving an update message from a second access point of the group of access points in response to the device being in range of and associated with the second access point of the group of access points.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving an authentication request directly from the device; and providing an indication that authentication is not necessary for the device upon determining that the device has been authenticated within the group of access points.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending the access request message to an authentication server in response to the device not being associated with the group of access points; receiving an access accept message from the authentication server; and sending the access accept message to the first access point indicating that the device is authenticated within the group of access points.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: limiting access for the device to the network; determining that the device is requesting data in the network; and performing authentication of the device for data access.
 7. A system, comprising: a master access point associated with a group of access points, the master access point operable to: receive an access request message from a first access point in the group of access points, the access request message being associated with a device in range of the first access point, determine whether the device is authenticated within the group of access points, and send a proxy access accept message to the first access point in response to the device being authenticated within the group of access points, without communicating with an authentication server for authentication of the device.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the master access point is operable to send the proxy access accept message to each access point in the group of access points.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the master access point is operable to receive an update message from a second access point of the group of access points in response to the device being in range of and associated with the second access point of the group of access points.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the master access point is operable to: receive an authentication request directly from the device, and provide an indication that authentication is not necessary for the device upon determining that the device is authenticated within the group of access points.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the master access point is operable to: send the access request message to an authentication server in response to the device not being associated with the group of access points, and receive an access accept message from the authentication server and send the access accept message to the first access point indicating that the device is authenticated within the group of access points.
 12. The system of claim 7, wherein the master access point is operable to: provide an indication that the device has limited access to a network, determine that the device is requesting data in the network, and perform authentication of the device for data access.
 13. A non-transitory computer readable medium including code, the code when executed operable to: identify a plurality of access points in a network belonging to a group of access points; receive an access request message from a first access point associated with a device in range of the first access point; determine whether the device is authenticated within the group of access points; and send a proxy access accept message to the first access point in response to the device being authenticated with the group of access points, without communicating with an authentication server to authenticate the device.
 14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the code is further operable to: send the proxy access accept message to the plurality of access points.
 15. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the code is further operable to: receive an update message from a second access point of the group of access points in response to the device being in range of and associated with the second access point of the group of access points.
 16. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the code is further operable to: receive an authentication request directly from the device; and provide an indication that authentication is not necessary for the device upon determining that the device is authenticated within the group of access points.
 17. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the code is further operable to: send the access request message to an authentication server in response to the device not being associated with the group of access points; receive an access accept message from the authentication server; and send the access accept message to the first access point indicating that the device is authenticated within the group of access points.
 18. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the code is further operable to: limit access for the device to the network; determine that the device is requesting data in the network; and perform authentication of the device for data access.
 19. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of access points is a member of a cluster.
 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising broadcasting the proxy access accept message to the plurality of access points. 